"Broken Shards"

[zauberdecke]

"In the dark
I need to taste the blood
Go on, draw another line
We can cross this time."
- Blindfold by Sleeping Wolf

---



[ Essek Thelyss: Shadowhand to the Dynasty.

One who reached further then the Luxon would allow, who would do absolutely anything for knowledge. Oh no, the man did not care for power, not really. He wanted to cast himself into the portal of knowing, he wanted to surrender himself to books and learning without having to deal with the mundanities of socio-politics that all of the Kryn engaged in. It was tedious and it filled him with sickness even as he plastered on an urbane smile for all and sundry to see.

Within the Dynasty, it was customary to take pets of the Empire; they were brought in across the border of Asarius, across the mountains and into the Dynasty. There were Dynasty born pets on the other side, both lost to the ravages of the other's civilization, generally never to be seen again.

Essek had never really had an interest to begin with when it came to pets; at the market he carefully avoided the slave blocks where those not of the Dynasty were paraded around. However, it had come to this-- it had come to his trading of the Beacon, and in return he recieved a Volstrucker to serve him. And yet, for all of that, Essek Thelyss had not thought he would receive a broken Volstrucker.

In fair trade, he and recieved a dossier on the man in question and had perused it with only a small semblance of annoyance while Trent Ikithon had assured him that a man like him could be rebuilt, the honeyed words of a silken snake which Essek recognized.

After all did not a predator recognize another predator? So now he held in his household a man whom had to be guarded carefully, though Essek was not cruel despite how he imagined Dynasty pets were treated, the cage that he had placed this Volstrucker named Bren within, well it was comfortable-- he'd seen pictures of Vergossen so he supposed it must be far better than that place. But he had not precisely interacted with him-- most of his unseen servants were given the walking of him, the care and maintenance of him.

Perhaps because he did not precisely know what to do with him, or what use he had for something broken. Though he arguably did not know what manner of broken the Volstrucker was, but after a week-- he decided perhaps it was time to summon him and see for himself; acertain what sort of work was cut out for him.

If this man was worth putting back together again.

So it was one evening, he had the Empire man summoned to his chambers. ]

Comments

[zauberdecke]

[ No, it was not one of Bren's strong suits, it had been glaringly obvious when he had deprived himself of sustenance because of some sort of inner turmoil. That was why Essek had to step in and guide Bren and to make sure that no lasting harm was caused because Bren thought that he deserved pain beyond his own tolerance.

A sound of approval, almost like a purr.. before Essek started the slow drip and trail to the other chest, to splash against nipple-- and then as his Pet reacted and adjusted to that, Essek was lightly scrapping with fingernails the first two pools of wax, and saw the angry little marks left in their wake.

He followed up with another drip at the first location then, to see if it keened the pain a little bit, due to the fact that it was already a trifle sensitive from the first time that the patch of skin had been be-waxed. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[That sound alone sent a shiver racing through Bren, and he had to fight to keep control of himself to not come apart there and then. He'd said he would be good, and the lingering promise of a treat if he were good, well wasn't that an intriguing motivation? Intensely motivating, almost as strong as that desperate need to please.

He squirmed as he felt his master scrape the hardened wax from his skin. He wanted so badly to look down, the added thrill of not knowing where the next pain would bloom was driving him mad as well.

When the wax fell over skin already once-marked, he cried out, back arching sharply. His cock throbbed, toes curling against the blankets as he struggled with himself and with his self control. A sound rather like a sob welled up in his throat.]

I want... I want to be so good for you, Master. I am trying. I... please...

[zauberdecke]

[ The desperation was marked in Bren's voice, the entreaty as well-- it was the knelling sound of someone who was struggling to hold onto a fraying rope; all it took was a look downward to see the prick nearly vibrate with suppression and so he eased it back just a little bit. ] Three more marks, can you do it for three more marks, and then I will give you your treat? Can you be a good sweet Pet for me.. reach deep into yourself and find that part of yourself that can hold on for just a few more moments?

[ His free hand moved to lightly brush the hair back from damp forehead, the relief of a touch and oh how gentle it was, and encouraging. ] I know you can do it, because you are clever and good boy, you want to be better for me.. don't you? [ He was lavishing that praise onto Bren in a manner that was meant to be soothing, a new rope to hold onto; to be worthy of such sweet and gentle words. ] You do not mean to be bad, I know this.. this is why I know you can be very very good for me.

[ausgebrannt]

[Fraying more and more by the moment despite his desperate attempt to hold himself together. Another gasp for breath, an attempt to settle himself, to reassert some fumbled part of his self control. The reminder of that treat, the praise that fell so sweetly from those beloved lips.

It was a double-edged sword, bringing ever closer to that brink because his master's praise was all he truly wanted, needed in this world, but it gave him a reservoir of strength to draw from too, the determination to please, to not be a disappointment. He nodded fitfully.]

I want to be better for you. I want to be good, I...

[His eyes shut at the sweet, cool touch of that hand, just briefly, soaking in the contact, the comfort of it. Still, his voice left him in a sob, eyes welling with tears -- overstimulation, frustration, arousal, all so strong that he did not know what to do with him, and they fell in tears from his eyes.]

I can... I will be your good Pet. Please punish me.

[Three more. He could do three more.]

[zauberdecke]

That's a good Pet..

[ He sat back where he was sitting, then with a firm touch pushed that thigh back and then he angled the candle to drip down on the freckled wonderland of inner thigh, and the wax left it's mark as it rolled down skin before solidifying before it could quite reach blanket-- and while that was happening, another tilt and the wax lined down against stomach precariously closer to Bren's arousal. ]

One more, just one more.. [ His voice continued to be soothing, guiding as he considered where to leverage the final one. ] One more and you receive your treat like the good boy that you are.

[ One more, all Bren had to do was be good for one last splash of hot wax. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[He was good. He could be good. He had to be. He trembled but was otherwise still, breath in utter shambles, chest heaving as if he'd been running. He felt that hand at his thigh, nearly jumped, but let himself be shifted, ever obedient, as much as he could be. The wax struck that new, sensitive skin, and Bren keened.

One.

Then the next that fell so close to his arousal, and he wondered at himself for the odd surge of anticipation that it might actually drip its way over that flesh. Another sob of sound, and he couldn't stop his hips from bucking off the bed.

Two.

Another fitful nod.]

Please.

[One more. Just one more. He bit at his lower lip hard.]

[zauberdecke]

[ For a single moment, Essek surveyed the skin presented so that he could choose the best possible spot for the final wax mark. He worried at his lower lip as he considered that prick, the way that the precome dripped generously, perhaps seeing if the two could mingle-- he did not think that with the way that it the length was coated, that the wax would take, so that was what informed his decision.

He aimed the wax at the cockhead and then in what felt like slow motion, it finally landed just against the plush damp velvet head, obscuring the slit and attempting to drip off of it.

With held breath, he waited for the reaction, and then he scooted himself closer to the head of the bed where Bren's head was and then he slowly brushed his fingertips mercifully over cheek. ] You may come now, Pet-- you have been such a good boy who deserves to have his release.

[ And then he leaned down to press a soft kiss to that sweat-soaked forehead. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[For a moment Bren's body seemed to defy gravity entirely, arching sharply against the bed as that hot wax dripped onto his already heated, oversensitive flesh. His cock throbbed, and he could feel the fall begin as he screamed, knowing that he was on that very brink. The sound that left his lips was some mixture of agony and ecstasy, and he couldn't decide between sobbing and pleading.

The touch of those fingers was all that he could take, the words that followed sweetly with them.]

Master... thank you master, I... ah!

[He did not so much come as explode, slamming into his climax with all the grace and force of an asteroid striking earth. His cock twitched, the wax only starting to dry and drip dislodged by the ropey spurts of his seed as he came, making a mess of himself, semen splattering against freckled skin, glistening beside dried white wax that already looked a pantomime of how he soiled himself with his release.]

[zauberdecke]

[ It was like a spectacle, watching Bren come-- the arching of that body, the fingers clutching into bedclothes and then the near fireworks that happened, nearly directionless as the come burst forth to paint that stomach in liquid pearls, the quivering of the skin and the sharp pants in staccato that reverberated from that mouth.

Bren would absolutely need a bath to clean himself up before bedtime.

There was something beautifully intense about this moment where Bren gave up every single inch of control to the call of pleasure, perhaps even a bit freeing as well, and Essek Thelyss was fascinated by his Pet. ]

Your sincerity cannot be questioned Pet, you are a very good boy and I promise you that you shall get your treat after we get you bathed and cleaned up; you are very filthy right now and for the treat I have planned for you, it requires you to be clean. [ Soothingly, Essek's fingers continued to stroke against that fevered brow, as if that could grace him with a bit of succor. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren was currently not exactly grounded in his body, lost in the drifting rush of his release, his heart still racing and only beginning to consider slowing to a more reasonable cadence. He still gasped for ragged breath, body still trembling as he went near boneless against the bed.

Still, that voice, silvered and lilting with the soft Dynasty accent as it was, it drew his attention immediately. He turned dazed blue eyes to his Master, lips softening into a smile at being called good, as if that small praise was an even more profound pleasure than his orgasm.

A fitful nod.]

I... ja. Of course. I am a mess...

[Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. All definitions of the word. Though he looked surprised that a treat was still on the schedule, since he'd been allowed to come. But he would not question his good fortune, for once in his life. With arms that only trembled a little, he pushed himself to sitting.]

[zauberdecke]

[ In this moment, Essek knew there was attraction there-- he felt the thread between them; he also knew that if he crooked a finger his Pet would fall into line, it was not stemmed in anything sexual, it was in those sad blue eyes as well as those words of deep and abiding intimacy that had been spoken, that had sharpened him in such a way that he was not sure that he would ever recover from it.

Such managed to make things that he would normally find repulsive-- to be intriguing.

But now was not the time to address that, there would be the dipping of the toes in and for right now it was time for the aftercare. ] We will need a word for continued punishment bouts. [ He shifted then so that he could crawl off of the bed, his feet touching down. A whispered order to a presence unseen and then the a few moments later the water started in the bathroom to fill up in the generous tub.

Where Adeen typically did not enjoy for his Pet to talk, Essek found that he did enjoy Bren's voice, the words that were normally well thought out, humble and self-depreciating but with a hint of cleverness to them. ]

You are a very handsome mess, but I think that in this case I require you to be handsome and clean. [ He was crooking his fingers then for Bren to follow him toward the bathing quarters, where Essek would make sure that Bren was washed thoroughly before the treat, and then bedtime. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren shifted his way off the bed, proud of himself that his legs only shook ever so slightly as he found his feet. He was already falling into line behind his master with no more than the crook of that finger. So yes, he needed little to be falling over himself to do what he thought his owner wished.

He had no idea, of course, of his master's thoughts, no reason to believe that any of the things he'd poured out in confession, even the yearningly intimate ones.]

A word?

[He echoed curiously before he put it together.]

Ah. Ja, I see.

[There was his master concerned for his comfort and safety again. It was still strange, and Bren wasn't certain he'd ever really be used to it, but the feeling of it was warm, a tingling that fluttered in his chest alongside his still racing heart.]

Clean is probably for the best. [He'd make a mess of his cot otherwise, never mind whatever treat it was he would be graced with.

And then, as they stepped into the bathroom, in an echo of a question he'd asked the other night, a touch playful, a touch cheeky.] You think I'm handsome?

[zauberdecke]

You are very handsome, perhaps the most handsome man I have ever encountered. [ Essek said with a wry smile, seeing the way that the grin graced those features-- it somehow managed to brighten the face, to obliterate for a single moment the inner play of negative feelings that the other man seemed to battle with on a daily basis. ] Though you probably should not let that go to your head, to either of them.

[ Already he was coaxing Bren up the steps and into the bath, where the waters were warm and fragrant. ] Though I do not find very many handsome, I just consider them to 'be' if that makes any sense.

[ They were people, it was easier to objectively appreciate the aesthetics of a dress-- he did not think of people in a manner handsome. Yes, he endeavored to always be put together but he did not even possess enough vanity to be proud of the fact that his looks were exceedingly lovely; he maintained his presence and that was that. ]

What is the word for Stop, or the colour red in your home language? I think that might be a good word for you to use if in fact I do something that is too painful.

[ausgebrannt]

[That was not the answer he'd expected, and perhaps that was obvious by the way a blush rose across freckled cheeks once more. The idea that his master found him attractive was, well, pleasant. More than pleasant. Bren couldn't help a laugh at the next comment, ducking his head.]

No, that wouldn't do at all. I will endeavor to maintain my humility.

[Bren assured him as he settled into the bath, glancing back in surprise once more at that new piece of information. Especially where Essek was the single most beautiful being he had ever encountered. Physically yes, but that beauty only grew with each touch of kindness and mercy. And it increased even more exponentially when Essek smiled, when he seemed truly at ease.

Hissing softly, half in pain half in pleasure, as he sank into the warm water, he let his attention be turned to the matter of safe words.]

Rot is red. I think that is a good choice.

[And then, quieter, thoughtfully.] I doubt you will hear it.

[Both because Essek was careful with him, and because Bren could not imagine speaking the word. What pain didn't he deserve? But he returned to the previous subject, equally as thoughtful.]

You are very beautiful, there is no denying that. And that is hardly a secret to anyone with eyes to see you. But I think perhaps... not many know just how incredibly stunning you become when you truly smile.

[Because he has seen Essek in public, socially, professionally, now, and seen the careful mask the Shadowhand wears, and very little of it seems to include much in the way of genuine, real smiles rather than carefully practiced and considered expressions.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek did notice things, he noticed how blissed out Bren seemed to be to get into the bath-- it did bring a smile to his lips that unfortunately Bren did catch, and that smile widened to reveal the sharpest indent of teeth being viewed as he poured a near obscene amount of liquid body was onto a bath poof and then he passed it right to his Pet. ]

That is very presumptuous of you.

[ But it caused him to continue that smile, so perhaps there was no harm no foul. It appeared that Bren would get away without punishment for such words to come out of his mouth-- a relief of course. ] But I have little cause to smile which is why I do not, it does not matter to me if people find me attractive or not, it is unlikely I would indulge them as it were as I have no interest in them.

[ But he didn't precisely say anything about indulging Bren, which was perhaps curious, it was as if he was still mulling that concept over in his mind, especially after the things shared between them. ] Though I would like to come back to the safe word subject, it is important that you utilize it if it gets to much; I will not have any pain-bourne of what you feel you deserve for your past-- I am not working with your past, I am working with the present.

[ausgebrannt]

Extremely presumptuous, ja.

[Bren agreed. Presumptuous, but not wrong. He'd stand by the words, especially when that expression lingered on his master's face. That was the one he was talking about after all, the sort of smile that actually lit up those intensely clear and clever eyes, softened the edges of features that were so sharp they may have been carved of crystal.

No interest in them though. There as that glimmer of hope, small and wild that it was, that perhaps he could yet be of use to his master. That he could be..

Ah well. No sense delving into that particular deep and complicated well of thought and imagining. He took the bath poof from Essek with a murmured gratitude and went about cleaning himself of his own stickiness, of the lingering candle wax. His skin tingled and stung in places, but it was not exactly unpleasant. Just the opposite, given that it was a lingering reminder of the punishment, and the praise and sweeter touches that had followed on at the end of it.

Bren looked up from scrubbing at the subject change.]

I... [Oh called out. He should get used to being this clearly perceived, he supposed. Essek saw him. His expression turned faintly chagrinned, and he nodded.]

I will remember that. [A pause and then, a bit more honestly.] I will try to remember that.

[zauberdecke]

See that you do.

[ Essek said as he tucked himself up on the step leading up and into the waters, he allowed his fingers to slip into the waters, touching a rogue bubble as it floated by, indolently popping it while he watched Bren's expressions, the circuitous way he had of going through every thought in his mind. Eyes were the window to the soul, and for some people like Bren-- even doubly so. ]

I will warn you that tomorrow I will have to go to the office on my own, I have a meeting with the Bright Queen and it is likely best that I do not take a Pet with me. [ Their first official separation since Essek formally opted to take Bren in hand, and whatever would the Pet do with himself while his Master was away. ]

That being said, tomorrow we also have another event to attend though it is not a ball so much as a trip to the Opera, and it means that I will not be able to escape Adeen so deftly. [ It stood to reason of course that Essek and Adeen would share a box at the Opera ] And also I will have to endure his talking during it.

[ausgebrannt]

[Oh. Bren managed not to pout too much at this information, and instead nodded his understanding. He would stay here and find some way to occupy his time. There was the dunamancy book, and his Undercommon study. Also that left plenty of time for pining and yearning too, so that was good, to have some time to really engage in that, as the need there was certainly becoming greater.

The mention of Adeen had Bren's nose wrinkling as he finished rinsing the soap suds off himself, sufficiently clean, probably, but still lingering in the warm water.]

Would you like me to bite him? I'm very new to this and haven't yet been fully socialized, after all. Mistakes do happen.

[It was made as a very solemn offer, but if the way blue eyes danced with amusement, it was mostly meant in jest. Mostly. He'd totally do it if Essek wished though, without hesitating.]

[zauberdecke]

There is one singular problem with you biting Adeen...

[ Essek folded his arms on the edge and could not help but catch sight of the playful glimmer, it reminded him of isolated moments in his childhood when he was dealing with Verin, and yet there was nothing brotherly about what he felt for his Pet. That was all but a mooted point and did not bear further consideration. ]

That is that I do not wish for my Pet to come back to me diseased.

[ Essek's sense of humor was utterly understatement but the humor there, even if he was only halfway joking, there was a part of that which could be considered serious-- but he was smirking despite himself. ] I do not know where Adeen has been and I do not care to know where he has been, I would not shame his choices if he were not the man that he was.

[ He moved to reach for a fluffy towel then, placing it there on the edge of the tub so that Bren could get out and dry himself out when he found himself ready to do so. ] Take your time in the bath, after all I have been known to enjoy a long soak.

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren found himself blinking at that before a laugh escaped that he had no chance of holding back even if he had tried. Understated yes, and the matter of fact way that the drow had said it struck the failed Volstrucker exactly the right way to shake shoulders in that quiet, breathy laugh -- like the sound was rusty from disuse and only just remembering how it was supposed to go.]

That is a very fair point. I do not wish to catch anything unpleasant.

[A nod as he watched Essek set the towel down.]

Thank you. I will not take long.

[The bath was tempting to linger in, but his curiosity about what treat his Master intended for him was far more intriguing.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek smiled and then very quickly moved from the steps so that he could pop outside of the bathroom, there was the barest shuffling in the bedroom before finally he came back with some comfortable lounge pants as well as a warm-looking pullover sleep shirt made of fine knitted fabric much like his other garments of this caliber, testament that really Bren was being well taken care of.

After Bren dried off, he would find those garments ready for use. Then there was the matter of doing a quick comb through of Bren's hair, all of which Essek was more than happy to provide as truth be told he did enjoy the act of grooming his Pet, making sure that he was neat and presentable even if it was just getting ready for bed. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren slipped from the tub almost as soon as Essek left the room, already well into drying himself off. And okay, yes, maybe he lingered in front of the mirror, looking at the reddened patches left on skin from where the wax had gently seared. Maybe he spared a moment to check out his ass and the lingering marks from the kiss of the crop the night before. They were reminders of pain, yes, but pain that was delivered with a fair and beloved hand, intended to make him better, to help him be worthy of his Master's attention.

Still he didn't tarry, dressing in the soft sleep clothes that were provided for him. He would never argue with Essek brushing his hair either, enjoying that particular piece of the grooming to the point where he felt rather spoiled by it.

Bren did not have the word aftercare in his lexicon for this, but he recognized the gentle treatment in the wake of what had been a very intense punishment session, and he craved it fully.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Once Bren was up to his standards, every hair in place and his hair neatly tied back so that it did not get mussed during the night, that was when he very carefully took Bren's hand in his own-- sliding his fingers within his Pet's in such a manner that was very intimate, but Essek did not know any other way to do such that he was intending to do.

And their fingers? They felt perfectly together as if they intrinsically belonged there.

Essek tugged against the hand and then lead him out of the bathroom, and then even then past to the door that led out into the corridor. Now, Bren would understand that this long corridor was all Essek's wing, there was the little area that had been allocated for Bren to stay in, a guest bedroom that had been quickly turned into a little Petpen. There was also the little sitting room that attached to Essek's bedroom, as well as the laboratory where the Teleport circle was.

But there was one other room, and Essek was leading Bren therein right now. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Was the hand holding the treat? Because the hand holding felt like it was probably the treat. Bren spent a long moment looking at their hands joined together, at lavender skin against his own pale complexion. He was still watching them as Essek tugged and he fell into step with him.

He let the drow lead, because of course he did. He had no idea where they were headed, but would follow along obediently. Eventually curiosity got the better of him and he looked around. He did recognize the corridor, the little room where he'd spent the entirety of his first few days here.

But where they were going, that was still a mystery.]

[zauberdecke]

[ They paused at the door, and Essek let go of Bren's hand so that he could remove a key from his wristpocket, and then he inserted it into the lock and then pushed the door open, and then suddenly they were on a second story landing to a rather large turreted room, and aligning against the walls were rows upon rows of books that went up nearly four stories. Against one of the walls was a rolling ladder unit of which one could scale up at least a single story, and for each landing there happened to be a ladder for it.

There must've been hundreds upon thousands of books, all of them carefully collected over the course of Essek's years. It was clear to see exactly how much of a reader Essek was.

He motioned toward the never-ending bookcases, one could read for years and never be done with all of them. ] This is your treat, the ability to browse. Since I will be off on personal business tomorrow, I thought it would be well if you picked out a few books to occupy your time, so that you are not getting yourself into trouble with your thoughts.